Mary Tichey-Staack is a school librarian at Branchville Elementary School in Ridgefield, CT. She started a book club, the Branchville Bookys, with her co-workers in order to broaden their literary horizons beyond children's books. In this interview, Mary describes the relaxed atmosphere of their meetings --- they choose their books by picking names out of a hat, and usually anyone who feels like contributing will lead the discussions. She also offers suggestions on how to play to members' strengths and even shares alternate uses for snack foods during meetings.

Q: Does your library host any book clubs? If so, are they based on a certain theme or genre (i.e., mystery)? How often do the groups meet?

A: Our book club, The Branchville Bookys (no, I don't like the name), is not based on a genre or theme. Each member filled out a survey to determine what types of books we like, and we are starting out by reading bestsellers and will move on to other genres as time passes. I was the instigator of the group and did all the legwork to get it started. I needed a way to read adult books. As a children's librarian, I had to be disciplined by a group, with a deadline to pick out anything that isn't Children's Literature.

Q: How many members are in each group? How many men, how many women? What ages are most of the members? Are the groups open to accepting new members?

A: We have 12 members, all of whom are women between the ages of 25 and 65. We are open only to new members who are on staff at our school due to personality conflicts.

Q: Who leads the book discussions? Are reading group discussion guides used?

A: Book discussions are led by whoever feels like contributing. We do use the guides when no one can think of anything to say.

Q: How are books selected? Is a new one chosen at each meeting, or are they chosen for a number of meetings ahead of time?

A: Books are selected haphazardly. We have a couple of people who have strong personalities and they are catered to. It's not pretty, but it's the fact of our group. We do the "picking one title out of a hat" approach at each meeting for the next meeting. Sometimes someone just suggests a title and we read it.

Q: What were some of the best discussions or favorite books the groups have read?

A: We really talked about The Sari Shop by Rupa Bajwa as something that was like the area we lived in, but was a world away. Also, we enjoyed The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger, but the most spontaneous discussion came from Teacher Man by Frank McCourt. We are all teachers in this book club, so this shouldn't be surprising, but it was also his connection to his other books and his Irish background that gained a lot of discussion from us. We kept wondering if other people who weren't teachers would "get" so much of what he wrote, and if this gave us a unique perspective on the book.

Q: How are book club meetings kept interesting and fun?

A: By providing food, honesty, and a refined sense of the absurd. Remain open-minded about what you read.

Q: What advice would you give to other libraries that would like to start hosting book clubs, or provide resources for ones in the community? What are the benefits to hosting book clubs at a library?

A: I would advise them to be flexible, democratic, and not take the whole thing too seriously. Always have snacks --- it gives everyone something to do with their hands. Also, determine why you are making up the group: Do you want to socialize? Do you really want to talk about what you've read and can't keep it to yourself? Are you open to having your ideas challenged? Go with the strength of the group.

The benefits can be as diverse as the group due to the contributions of the members. I have read many books I never would have picked up on my own, and that has been the greatest benefit to me. Plus, I get to know my co-workers outside the job setting, which never would have occurred otherwise.

Q: What general advice would you give to book club members?

A: Always have snacks, comfortable seating, and functioning adequate heating and cooling systems.

Q: Any specific ideas for making reading selections?

A: I find the selections are diverse, due to the interests of the group, and I would continue with that approach. No one wants to read the same old boring stuff, especially since there is SO much out there that is worthy of consideration, including titles that aren't "contemporary." New ideas are what you want to promote and diversity in titles and taking reading risks are what will make it good and continue to keep it interesting. I troll the Internet and find many diverse titles that I present to the group via email. They then look at them and when we meet, if any strike their fancy we put the name in the hat and draw one.

Q: How can book clubs better utilize resources at their local libraries?

A: They should talk to the head librarian to discuss using the meeting spaces available and the securing of multiple copies of titles. They should use this resource to coordinate meetings and potentially lead discussions if that is what is needed.

Q: Does your library offer anything special for book clubs?

A: Space and multiple copies of books.

Q: Do you have any horror stories, amusing anecdotes, or other tales to tell that you have heard from book clubs?

A: When a book is bad and everyone hates it or thinks it's boring, you can always talk about the stuff you didn't like to drive the next selection. The snacks are a good diversion at such a time.

Q: Is there anything else unique or noteworthy about book clubs (either ones that meet in your library or ones that you know of) that you would like to share?

A: It gives a person a chance to take that voice out of your head that chats with you about the story and brings out parts of the story that can become clarified or overlooked by you and gets these things out in the open. The dialogue and questions enrich the reading experience, and the differing perspectives based on what individual readers bring to every story makes the reading experience broader. It's not just your view anymore. You also may learn about the members and about the larger world through the discussions. You may also find that you aren't the only one thinking something odd!

Q: Are you a member of a book club? If so, what do you enjoy most about the experience from a reader's perspective? Does being in a book club enable you to better suggest both titles and discussion ideas to reading groups?

A: I am a member of two book clubs. One has 12 women in it and the other is a club of two that is online.

I enjoy the interaction with other readers to discuss the characters, the writing and the going beyond just reading for entertainment. Something educational happens when you discuss books, whether you like it or not.

Yes, I have been actively reading online resources to locate more titles, and it has broadened my concept of where to find that type of information. Previously, I had no need to locate adult titles, as I am a children's librarian.

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